JTPinTX
Custom Call Maker
Just very basic entry level into the whole NV/thermal game, I know. I had reservations ordering it. I wasn't sure if it would be good enough to do what I wanted to do or if I would end up being disappointed in it. You know, its one of those things you can read about and read about, but until you have some actual real world experience and see it for yourself, you just don't know.
Well, I am glad to say I love it! I think it is going to do exactly what I need it to do. I got the 6.5x50L model. I put it on a Encore 223 chopped to 18" with a Specwar 556K. Put a little night-time camo on it with cerakote, and did the barrel in Tactical Grey while I was at it. Used some SWFA rings to mount it up, and used the 45 degree picatinny cap on the forward one to have a place to mount an illuminator. I put a IR bulb in my W402ZF, and it lights up really good. However though, it barely, barely fits with that mount, and it is pretty big and bulky. I may end up going to some type of T-20 style light instead to save some size/weight and get a better fit.
So I grabbed my tripod setup and went out into my driveway about 10:30 last night when I got it all mounted up. We own a small field across the street from our house, and on the other side of that one of the neighbors has some goats and donkeys. Range is anywhere from 150-225 yards or so. I will check actual distances with my rangefinder today. With the naked eye I could see nada, zilch, nothing. Firing up the Photon I could see "something", but not a positive ID. Using the on board illuminator I could see pretty good. Positive ID for sure and would not have had any trouble at all killing any of them. With the 402 I could see further than I really want to shoot with the 223.
Mainly I got this setup to be able to sit up over bait sites (dead cows and such during the winter) and pick off some coyotes. I have done that quite a bit using regular lights but most coyotes flare really quick when you hit them with light on a bait site. I would like to do some night calling as well but realize that will be very difficult using the rifle to scan. Eventually I want to get a handheld of some type to go with it but the budget has to recover first.
Anyways, I am super pumped up and happy with it.
FullSizeR by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156517515@N04/, on Flickr
Well, I am glad to say I love it! I think it is going to do exactly what I need it to do. I got the 6.5x50L model. I put it on a Encore 223 chopped to 18" with a Specwar 556K. Put a little night-time camo on it with cerakote, and did the barrel in Tactical Grey while I was at it. Used some SWFA rings to mount it up, and used the 45 degree picatinny cap on the forward one to have a place to mount an illuminator. I put a IR bulb in my W402ZF, and it lights up really good. However though, it barely, barely fits with that mount, and it is pretty big and bulky. I may end up going to some type of T-20 style light instead to save some size/weight and get a better fit.
So I grabbed my tripod setup and went out into my driveway about 10:30 last night when I got it all mounted up. We own a small field across the street from our house, and on the other side of that one of the neighbors has some goats and donkeys. Range is anywhere from 150-225 yards or so. I will check actual distances with my rangefinder today. With the naked eye I could see nada, zilch, nothing. Firing up the Photon I could see "something", but not a positive ID. Using the on board illuminator I could see pretty good. Positive ID for sure and would not have had any trouble at all killing any of them. With the 402 I could see further than I really want to shoot with the 223.
Mainly I got this setup to be able to sit up over bait sites (dead cows and such during the winter) and pick off some coyotes. I have done that quite a bit using regular lights but most coyotes flare really quick when you hit them with light on a bait site. I would like to do some night calling as well but realize that will be very difficult using the rifle to scan. Eventually I want to get a handheld of some type to go with it but the budget has to recover first.
Anyways, I am super pumped up and happy with it.
FullSizeR by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156517515@N04/, on Flickr
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